Cruise W E E K L Y Cruise Weekly today Cruise Weekly today features five pages of all the latest cruise industry news.
Travel Pages 2018 THE Business Publishing Group, parent company of Cruise Weekly, Travel Daily, travelBulletin and Business Events News, will take over the production of the AFTA Travel Pages from next year. AFTA Travel Pages is the only publication formally endorsed by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, with ceo Jayson Westbury saying it was “only logical to extend the partnership” with Business Publishing Group” which has been the long-time media sponsor of the National Travel Industry Awards. The 2018 AFTA Travel Pages will be distributed to travel agents, suppliers and key industry stakeholders - more details at travelpages@traveldaily.com.au.
Thursday 22 Jun 2017
Encore’s down under return SEABOURN has confirmed the Australasian deployment of its new Seabourn Encore, which will operate a series of voyages out of Sydney and Auckland during the 2018-19 season. The local operation was hinted at earlier this year when Cruise Weekly attended the inauguration of Encore in Singapore (CW 09 Jan 2017). At the time Seabourn president Rick Meadows confirmed plans were afoot for a Seabourn circumnavigation of Australia, but the Encore program will instead feature four 16-day sailings between Sydney and Auckland as well as two 16-day South Pacific voyages ex AKL that will explore New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu. The company remains coy about
its 2018/19 plans for Seabourn Sojourn, with speculation it may undertake the circumnavigation. Sydney Ports currently has slots allocated for Sojourn in Dec 2018 and Jan, Feb and Mar 2019. Chris Austin, Seabourn senior vice president of global marketing and sales confirmed there was strong interest in Australia from the line’s clients. “Overseas travellers from around the world love to visit the cities and towns along the coast during the summer season. “For Seabourn, Australia is our third largest market for sourcing guests and we appreciate the work by so many travel professionals who trust their clients to us when it comes to choosing a holiday,” he told CW.
Eden Wharf extension WE WEREN’T quite right when we said the NSW state budget didn’t do anything for the cruise sector earlier this week (CW Tue). The fine print of regional funding allocations confirms that $26.2 million has been provided for the Eden breakwater wharf extension on the far south coast. The project will help the wharf cater for cruise ships docking at Eden, which later this year welcomes a series of visits including Pacific Eden, Noordam, Norwegian Jewel, Pacific Jewel, Silver Shadow and M/S Sirena. CLIA Australasia md Joel Katz told CW the association had not been expecting any major cruise announcements in the budget. “We continue to engage with the NSW government to address the capacity constraints in Sydney in order to maintain its growth trajectory...we are confident the NSW government understands the issue,” Katz told CW.
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W E E K L Y
Thursday 22 Jun 2017
Alipay Norwegian Joy NORWEGIAN Cruise Line will introduce the Alipay payment platform on Norwegian Joy. The cruise line began accepting transactions on the Alipay platform on a preview cruise on 10 Jun and the move is another step in a pact between NCLH and Alipay (CW 20 May).
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Agents welcome Pacific Explorer LAST night key trade partners were given a sneak peek at P&O’s new Pacific Explorer which heads off today from Sydney for her first voyage to the South Pacific. Joining the P&O fleet from her former identity as Dawn Princess, the event last night showcased a range of signature P&O features, with the line’s president, Sture Myrmell, telling CW today the makeover was “extremely well received” by those on board. He said the arrival of Explorer was the culmination of 18 months of work for the P&O team, with the new public areas, food and activities on board all receiving favourable comments. “We are very proud and very happy,” he said. Myrmell also highlighted the key role travel consultants continued to play in P&O’s distribution. “Travel agents are by far our most important distribution channel...they always have been, and as far as I’m concerned they
Abu Dhabi ports deal ABU Dhabi Ports and the Port of Fujairah have signed a 35 year concession agreement, that will see the establishment of “Fujairah Terminals”. The new operational arm will be solely owned by Abu Dhabi Ports. Abu Dhabi Ports will start to develop the berths and yards in 2018 and current infrastructure will operate during this time. Additional capacity for ships will come online during 2021.
always will be,” he said. Myrmell noted that P&O now carries more than 50% of all Australians cruising from local ports - and about one third of all Aussies cruising worldwide. MEANWHILE Myrmell also commented on Sydney’s infrastructure challenges, noting that having five ships in its fleet that can all fit under the Harbour Bridge actually gives P&O a “huge competitive advantage”. The flexibility afforded by having more berthing options gives P&O the ability to create departures that really suit the market, rather than being constrained by availability at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Myrmell said. He said it was still vital that another berth be added east of the bridge to handle bigger ships, but for P&O currently its fleet was ideal to make the most of the existing situation. More from Pacific Explorer on page three of today’s CW. AUSTRALIA’S LEA
Celeb Edge keel laid CELEBRITY Cruises has today celebrated the keel laying for Celebrity Edge in STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard. Leaders from both Celebrity Cruises and STX France were at the event, where a lucky coin was placed in dock before an 875 tonne block was lowered. Celebrity Edge will homeport in Fort Lauderdale and depart on its first sailing on 16 Dec, 2018.
Princess ambassadors CHINESE basketballers Yao Ming and Ye Li have been named inaugural cruise ambassadors for Princess Cruises in China and will officially name Majestic Princess next month. Yao Ming and his wife, Ye Li, were both team members of China’s national basketball teams and Yao Ming is an eight-time NBA All-Star. The christening will take place aboard Majestic Princess in Shanghai on 09 Jul.
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Sture gets a pizza the action
W E E K L Y
Thursday 22 Jun 2017
Victory’s Cuba go-ahead TRUMP’S Cuba policy hasn’t curbed cruise lines entering into the market, with Victory Cruise Lines confirming it has been approved to do business in the Caribbean country. President and ceo of the small ship operator, Bruce Nierenberg told Cruise Weekly he was excited by the opportunity the revised regulations for Americans travelling to Cuba had created. Noting the line was “basically doing everything already that is required,” Nierenberg said “small ship all-inclusive cruising like ours is the best fit for the new US regs and also brings the economic benefit not just to Havana as do the large cruise ships, but to all the five corners of the country”. “It’s a win-win for the US and Cuba,” he added. The all-inclusive nature of Victory Cruise Line’s offering gives it “total control” over the tours, Nierenberg said, ensuring guests
could comply with US regulation. Nierenberg is working to confirm and contract for berths in Cuban ports, but said as a small ship cruise line, Victory would be seeking most of its berths in the smaller, less visited ports. In addition, Victory expected to call into Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba and Maria La Gorda and would try to arrange overnight stays in at least three ports “to provide more of an immersive experience”. The sailings are scheduled to begin in Nov on the 202-passenger M/V Victory I.
Star Cruises half price STAR Cruises is offering savings of up to 50% on its seven-night Golden Journey from either Shanghai, Osaka or Tokyo. Bookings for a balcony cabin will receive a bonus HK$1,000 on board credit - see pg 4 for more.
P&O Cruises Australia president Sture Myrmell today showcased the line’s latest addition, Pacific Explorer, prior to the vessel heading off on its inaugural voyage, a 10-day itinerary to the South Pacific. Formerly sailing as Dawn Princess, Pacific Explorer has undergone a lightning 12-day multi-million dollar makeover including a rebranding, new restaurants, some room reconfigurations to add upper berths and interconnecting cabins, as well as other signature P&O offerings including activities, kids clubs and more. Additions include a new on
board pizzeria courtesy of world pizza champion Johnny di Francesco, whose 400 Gradi restaurant is part of Melbourne’s Crown complex. Myrmell is pictured at lunch sampling some of the pizzas in Pacific Explorer’s 400 Gradi. MEANWHILE, P&O Cruises has revealed Dora the Explorer will become the first Nickelodeon character to be godmother of a cruise ship. Dora the Explorer will christen the Explorer at a naming ceremony at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal on 02 Jul. Lots more pictures online at facebook.com/cruiseweekly.
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TravelManagers WLCL class
W E E K L Y
Thursday 22 Jun 2017
Scenic Sth-East Asia
Seabourn new series
SCENIC has unveiled its first South-East Asia river cruising prerelease, opening new dates for departures in late 2018 and early 2019 for both the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia and the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. The program introduces a new cruise and tour, the 11-day Luxury Mekong and Temples Discovery, including seven nights’ cruising on the Mekong on Scenic Spirit. Prices for the new addition start from $5,975ppts, including a saving of up to $500 per person.
SEABOURN has added a new series of Seabourn Conversations for the 2017/18 cruise season. The lineup for the program features first-time and returning speakers including mother of current Canadian PM, Margaret Trudeau; author Paul Deegan; jazz performer Arturo Dandoval; celebrity fashion stylist Brad Goreski and author & lyricist Sir Tim Rice. CLICK HERE for the full schedule.
Hanseatic’s keel laid THE keel has been laid for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ first of two expedition newbuilds, Hanseatic nature, marked by a ceremony held at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania. During the event, Karl Pojer ceo of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, placed a coin inside the steel block of the new vessel, which is set to be christened in Apr 2019.
Crystal to Grand Prix PASSENGERS on board Crystal Symphony’s Indian Ocean Discovery Voyage will have a choice of three ways to experience Abu Dhabi’s Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Nov. Guests can opt for Formula TEAM One Paddock Club access, premium hospitality seating in the shaded top level in the grand stand or race tickets with premium grand stand seating.
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A TEAM of 45 of TravelManagers’ personal travel managers embarked on a World’s Leading Cruise Lines (WLCL) masterclass on board Emerald Princess while docked at Circular Quay’s OPT. The intensive training session covered all of the WLCL brands and was followed by a fivecourse lunch as well as a privately escorted ship inspection of Emerald Princess. Agents came from as far as Wagga Wagga, Jindabyne, Parkes Dubbo and Port Macquarie, while two attendees even travelled from Townsville and Devonport. Pictured are: Mary Anderson, Simone Armeni, Kerrie Baugley,
Robin Barrett, Irena Bryant, Beverly Burt, Kelly Chapman, Lauren Compton, Antonella Damiano, Debra Deane, Jane Fowler, Lori Francisco, Rosa Frigel, Julianne Gazal-Rizk, Judy Gillings, Louise Gillogly, Matt Halloran, Emma Hill, Alison Johnson, Lana Kanchik, Janice Lee, Phoebe Luong, Annette McHugh, Debbie McLean, Anita Medcalf, Lisa Metzl, Michelle MichaelPecora, Natalie Miller, Maria Miller, Mamita Mishra, Cathy Moir, Maree Oxford, Jo Patton, Michelle Pelley, Karina Petrovics, Melinda Rowe, Trina Rynehart, Laurin Taggart, Annalize Troost, Tanya Tyler, Melanie Whyte and Sharleen Wright.
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Thursday 22 Jun 2017
Hurti no single supp HURTIGRUTEN and Bentours are offering no single supplements on select MS Fram sailings. Voyages include The Ultimate Fjord Expedition in the Arctic, which departs 06 Sep and is priced from $10,058pp.
P&O cane toad invades Sydney with Joel Katz MD, CLIA Australasia
Grab the Dream
PORTHOLE WHILE Australians were mourning the shortest day of the year yesterday, Carnival Cruise Line was celebrating the start of the northern summer... with a sloth called Bill. The cruise line claimed it had discovered “a mystical prognosticating sloth to predict if summer’s warm embrace will go past Labor Day”. Bill proclaimed in a Facebook live broadcast there will be an extra 17 days of summer this year and made on-site predictions for viewers. In honour of Bill and his talents, Carnival made a $10,000 donation to the Discover the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, a featured excursion for several of the line’s ships. The creature is pictured.
THEY’RE well known to be noxious pests which would be better off eliminated from the environment - but P&O Cruises’ Pacific Aria still brought a boatload of them into Sydney Harbour yesterday morning. A special NRL State of Origin cruise carried about 1,500 rabid Queenslanders to the NSW capital for the second game in the annual series - complete with a giant 7m high inflatable cane toad on the vessel’s bow. The State of Origin Maroons Cruise departed Brisbane last weekend and included a call
Virgin Hols dep beach VIRGIN Holidays are building a lounge in Barbados touted as “The World’s First Departure Beach”. When it opens next year, entry to the beach will be complimentary for Virgin Holidays cruise customers. The Departure Beach is for travellers boarding Virgin Atlantic flights back to the UK and features food, drink and a chance to work on a tan one last time in the Caribbean before departure.
Cruise Weekly is Australia’s leading travel industry cruise publication. An industry-focused PDF edition of Cruise Weekly is published every Tue and Thu, and there’s also a consumer-facing email newsletter published each Wed - sign up free at www.cruiseweekly.com.au. Postal address: PO Box 1010, Epping, NSW 1710 Australia Street address: Suite 1, Level 2, 64 Talavera Rd, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 Australia P: 1300 799 220 (+61 2 8007 6760) F: 1300 799 221 (+61 2 8007 6769) Part of the Travel Daily group of publications
at Moreton Island en route to Sydney, where passengers were transferred to the stadium to enjoy last night’s 18-16 win. Former Queensland greats Petero Civoniceva and Scott Prince were on board, along with Blues rivals Paul Sironen, Matt Cooper and Eric Grothe, all of whom participated in lots of league-themed activity. P&O Cruises president Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was seeing growing interest for sports, with 2017 the second year running that P&O has run dedicated voyages to the big rugby league games. Aria departs Sydney tomorrow for Newcastle before arriving back in Brisbane on Mon.
NCL crew arrested BELIZEAN media outlet 7 News has reported that three Norwegian Cruise Line crew were charged with drug trafficking for allegedly being in possession of two kilos of cocaine on the ship. It is understood the three men have been arrested and are currently in a Belize jail.
“I LOVED every moment of the Masters… it was one of the highlights of my 34 year travel career…” “Exceeded my expectations, I can’t wait to go back to the office and start work… it was so inspiring”. These are some of the comments from previous CLIA Masters Conference attendees, who achieved their Masters Accreditation and joined an elite group. Master Cruise Consultants are officially endorsed by CLIA as THE most qualified cruise sales agents. It’s great to see so many Australian and New Zealand travel agent members already registered for their Masters accreditation, and we urge all CLIA Ambassador level accredited agents, or those who are currently working towards their Ambassador accreditation to reserve space quickly for the 2017 Masters Conference to be held in Sep on board Genting Dream, the inaugural ship of Dream Cruises. Genting Dream uniquely features the comfort of authentic Asian hospitality, combined with the finest experiences from around the world. The Masters Conference is equally unique, with nothing like it in the travel sector, let alone the cruise industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to set yourself apart from your competitors. If you aspire to be the best in your field contact CLIA to reserve your spot. www.cruising.org.au.
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Cruise Weekly is a publication of Cruise Weekly Pty Ltd ABN 73 123 041 485. All content fully protected by copyright. Please obtain written permission to reproduce any material. While every care has been taken in the preparation of the newsletter no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Information is published in good faith to stimulate independent investigation of the matters canvassed. Responsibility for editorial comment is taken by Bruce Piper.
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